In a landmark move to bolster Indo–US relations through education, diplomacy, and innovation, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has launched the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies (MJIAS) in New York. The event also saw the release of the JGU Sustainable Development Report 2025 and a Distinguished Public Lecture featuring eminent Indian and global thought leaders.
MJIAS, established with a generous endowment from the Motwani Jadeja Foundation, honours the legacy of Professor Rajeev Motwani, a renowned computer scientist and mentor to Silicon Valley innovators. The Institute will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research, public policy, cultural exchange, and innovation between India and the United States.
Speaking at the launch, JGU founding vice chancellor professor C. Raj Kumar described MJIAS as “a powerful symbol of academic diplomacy” that aims to build “intellectual bridges between nations.” He highlighted the Institute’s commitment to democratic values, global transformation, and nurturing the next generation of public intellectuals.
Asha Jadeja Motwani, philanthropist and venture capitalist, delivered the Foundational Address, expressing her vision to empower changemakers across the Global South. “We are creating a space where future leaders of India and the US can question, collaborate, and co-create,” she said, announcing new initiatives such as student fellowships, start-up accelerator collaborations, and visiting professorships.
Ambassador Mohan Kumar, director-general of MJIAS, outlined the Institute’s strategic agenda, focusing on key areas such as geopolitics, digital governance, trade, and defence. He emphasised the importance of insulating the bilateral relationship from shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Leading US-based academics, including professors Jayanth Krishnan and Sital Kalantry, praised the Institute’s focus on interdisciplinary learning, liberal values, and academic integrity.
India’s consul general in New York, H.E. Mr Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, hailed MJIAS as a significant contribution to “knowledge diplomacy,” reinforcing the shared democratic values between India and the United States.
The evening also featured the launch of the JGU Sustainable Development Report 2025, authored by professor Padmanabha Ramanujam. The report charts the university’s comprehensive engagement with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. justice Michael Wilson, former judge of the Supreme Court of Hawaii, praised JGU’s sustainability model as exemplary.
A Distinguished Public Lecture followed, with justice U.U. Lalit, former chief justice of India, stressing the role of education in nurturing democratic conscience and constitutional values. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Tamil Nadu’s IT and digital services minister, spoke on data governance, AI ethics, and the imperative of university–government partnerships.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks from professor Akhil Bhardwaj, vice dean of international affairs at JGU, who called it “a milestone moment” in the university’s global mission.
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